iran is sending arms to assad because they know his downfall would be a strategic defeat for them. we should be working no less vigorously through our international partners to support the many syrians who would deliver that defeat to iran, rather than sitting on the sidelines. it's essential we develop influence with those forces in syria that will one day lead a country that sits at the heart of the middle east. in afghanistan i'll pursue a real and successful transition to afghan security forces by the end of 2014. president obama would have you believe anyone who disagrees with his decision in afghanistan is arguing for endless war but the route to war and to potential attacks here at home is a politically timed retreat that abandons the afghan people to the same extremists who ravaged their country and used it to launch the attacks of 9/11. i will evaluate conditions on the ground and weigh the best advice of our military commanders and i will affirm my duty is not to protect my political prospects but to protect the security of the nation. finally i will recommit america to t